Thursday, April 3, 2014

C is for...




Caracal 



Fun Fact: The caracal is a wild cat found widely in Africa, central Asia and Southwest Asia into India. Its most notable feature is the tufts of black hair that extend from the ears. The caracal has 20 different muscles in its ears to help let it detect prey. Preferring not to eat stiff fur, it actually shears it's prey before eating it. (Kind of a morbid fact...)




Writing Prompt


My body was lithe and strong. The ground moved swiftly underneath me. I could feel the pendant still hanging from my neck that allowed me to take on the form of the caracal. My ears twitched at the sound of tiny claws scratching in the brush. A wild hare burst from the foliage, scattering dirt as it fled. It took a considerable amount of will to not chase it. I couldn't stay in this form long without risking the animal taking over. I needed to find what I was looking for. There was no time to waste. 



Thanks everyone. See you tomorrow.






55 comments:

  1. Clever and unique take on the writing prompt.
    And well done on the drawing!

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  2. You know I've never heard of the caracal before? I like your take on the prompt, though, intriguing story!

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  3. Excellent descriptive writing....could visualize the morphed creature with a pendant hanging around his neck. The caracal...have heard of them and seen pictures, but did not know the biological name or interesting facts. Well done Brandon, for the Letter C.
    Sue at CollectInTexas Gal

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    1. Cool glad you liked it. Yeah I have always thought they were cool.

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  4. What big ears that cat has! It is kind of gross that it sheers its prey before eating, but I can't say I blame it. I wouldn't want to eat hair, either!

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    1. You and me both. I guess people do it as well.

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  5. Never heard of this wild cat, the caracal. But, interesting stuff. 20 muscles in the ears.

    I really liked your story for the writing prompt. That sounds like something you could use in a novel...

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    1. Yeah I am going to go back to all of these prompts and see if I want to take them further.

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  6. Your prompt reminded me of Animorphs. :D Also, I'm seriously loving all of your illustrations. Awesome work. :)

    Alex Hurst, fantasy author in Japan, participating in Blogging A-Z April Challenge.

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    1. I've never read those, but I have seen them a lot. Thank you.

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  7. I didn't know they shaved their prey. Interesting. Great drawing.

    JO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE

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  8. How interesting that they shear their prey. Although I guess I can't blame them for not wanting a mouth full of fur.

    Thanks for visiting the Untethered Realms blog, I'm so glad to meet you as a result. Love your theme and drawings! Looking forward to following along for the rest of the month. :)

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    1. Np I enjoyed the post. Yeah no one wants a mouth full of fur.

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  9. Love, love, love the art. And great little prompt as well. You are VERY talented Brandon!!

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  10. Great illustration... plus I learned about the caracal! Fun!

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  11. So cute!
    Morbid fact but fascinating. It doesn't want to eat the hair on the hare!
    HMG

    Heather M. Gardner
    The Waiting is the Hardest Part
    Stormy's Sidekick
    Blogging from A to Z April Challenge Co-Host

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  12. I've always wondered if those adorably large ears give them super-sensitive hearing for stalking prey.

    Happy A-Zing
    Laurel
    Laurel's Leaves

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    1. It seems so. I love all cats I think they are amazing.

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  13. I always learn new things during April. Had never heard of this animal before.

    Also didn't realize I wasn't following your blog already and now that has been remedied.

    Lee
    Wrote By Rote
    An A to Z Co-host blog

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    1. Glad you made it by. Yeah I love to learn new things and this is the month for it.

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  14. Very cool post today! I've never heard of the caracal. I enjoyed the writing prompt, too. I felt like I was there.

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    1. Glad you liked it. I have seen them in pictures, but never knew much about them.

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  15. But...but...was he looking for? Curious minds wanna know o_0
    I've never heard of the Caracal. It shears its prey? *shudders* Great drawing (as usual) :D

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  16. Very cool. I'm sure I know someone who would take them in if they can be domesticated. :)

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  17. Brilliant prompt, Brandon! Love the voice!

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  18. Very awesome! I could really picture your world in that writing prompt. Well done. :)

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  19. Oh boy! A factual intro, and then a flash fiction!! I love it.

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  20. That fantasy flash was a lot of fun to read! Your daughter's welcome to read the ghost stories on my blog any time. :)

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    1. Thank you. She will love them right along with me, lol.

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  21. Those cats are super cool. Love the drawing!

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  22. Nice. I love me a cat in any form. Unless it's right in front of me. Because then I'll be sneezing. (Darn allergies.)

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    1. Yeah my wife has allergies to cats as well. I love them though.

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  23. You and your dragon look a little wary of that caracal; the cat looks like he couldn't care less. Love your illustrations that go with your shorts.

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  24. I shear my prey before I eat it. I don't like hairballs.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Yes well those prey should learn to shave themselves and spare us all. lol

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  25. This is a piece of really great writing!

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  26. That is one freaky sounding cat. Fun post!

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  27. Great, descriptive piece, Brandon. I have never heard of a caracal before.

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    1. Thank you. I had heard of them but didn't know much.

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  28. This is the second post I read on Caracals! What are the odds of that?? You can find the other numerically right before you here: http://poetryperfected.wordpress.com/2014/04/03/c-is-for-caracal/
    Nice blog you've got here!
    Gail at Making Life An Art

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  29. I love this theme so much! That drawing is so cute, and the short writing prompt concept is so creative. LOVE IT!

    Random Musings from the KristenHead — C is for 'Copper' and Cats (and More Cats)

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  30. I <3 kitties!! Civet would have been an interesting choice too! :P

    Jamie Dement (LadyJai)
    My A to Z
    Caring for My Veteran

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